The 1940s headscarf/bandana has been one of the best discoveries I have ever made in life. I wear head wraps often. Its okay. Some commenters were nasty, with one even accusing the "Legally Blonde" star of faking her MS for financial reasons. In the 1960s and 70s, the head wrap was embraced as part of the Black Power uniform, worn as a sign of rebellion. Get the best stories straight into your inbox! All of our head wraps & turbans are lined in satin to protect the hair against frizz, breakage and moisture loss. Keep reading below to learn more about the reasons people choose to cover their hair and celebrate the beautiful diversity of our world. No matter the reason, covering the head is a deeply personal choice. It should look similar to a hood on a raincoat, with the ends secured at the base of the jaw. Thankfully, this brutal punishment is no longer the rule, but the head wrap still carries a lot of the same cultural weight. Yet, while first worn proudly by Black, indigenous, people of color, soon enough the head wrap was co-opted for a far more sinister use in the slave trade. -, "It's hard to decide what is appropriation and what is not, especially in the arts (fashion included) because being influenced by other ideas and cultures is natural. London, and Londoners of all backgrounds do appear to have a different approach! She posted a second photo with her 7-year-old son, Arthur Saint Bleick, and in the pic, he sports a head wrap too. She and her wife, Molly, are the proud moms of two formerly stray cats, Sophie and Pierre, and a rescue dog named Gracie. Why? But as long as you are not directly ripping off their culture, I've found it much likely that you'll get a positive response. I find this topic very interesting, maybe also because it's something I never really stopped to think about. And, of course, you can always use a microfiber hair towel as a head wrap in your home to keep your hair in place or dry it. Our hair accessories andAfrican head wrapsare perfect for any hair length (short, medium, or long) or hair texture (straight, curly, wavy, or kinky). This has always been met with delight and amusement from locals, and surprise "you're the first (white) tourist to want go wear this, will you wear it at home?" Emileigh,I love your voice in this piece. struggling with the side effects of multiple sclerosis, Selma Blair opens up about MS diagnosis in emotional post. It sounds like you're doing it with respect and have had good experiences with people whose cultures the garments come from. The question is not whether or not each of us can or cannot wearhead wraps, but. But despite its benefits as a beautiful hair accessory, thats been around for thousands of years, it can be appropriative and insensitive to wear certain styles when you arent part of the culture, religion, or race in which or by whom the head wraps were brought into being. This first mention of wearing a head wrap can be found in an ancient Assyrian legal document. The head wrap was embraced and celebrated for its cultural significance, reclaiming the power former slave owners so brutally took from the people they enslaved. Some folks choose to wear head wraps to make a bold statement, to take a look from meh to marvelous, to brighten their day, or simply because they feel like it. Some lashed out at the star for treating the wrap like a fashion "accessory. Many women choose to wear head wraps because theyre one of the most practical, versatile, and functional accessories of all time. I've recently seen articles about other things I do being cultural appropriation (most recently hoop earrings and winged eyeliner? Netflixs PERSUASION Starring Dakota Johnson Is Out Tomorrow! The babushka is typically worn in Russia and Poland and is designed to be tied under the chin. Sign up to receive 10% offyour first order, new product alerts, back in stock notifications, and special offers. As someone who often rocks the headscarves I am guilty of not doing any research beforehand. In fact, in instances like these, it may even be a sign of respect to don a head wrap. Just no. My top 5 tips for deciding which head wraps to wear: While I have my ways of evaluating for myself which wrap styles I wear, I also wanted to share some tips and thoughts from others on how they decide what wraps they should and should not don: "Head wraps have existed in all cultures for aeons, but we have to be mindful that cultural relativism actually shifts over time. Throughout history, head coverings have been worn for a myriad of reasons. These include: spiritual beliefs, cultural significance, practicality, and fashion. Most of us probably don't have a problem with anyone wearing a "Rosie the Riveter" style wrap or such styles that are just plain "vintagey" and Western or worn for utility. In Jordan my roommate was Muslim, and she helped me practice the scarf as I was going to be visiting Iran later where it would be compulsory.I've only worn a headscarf once in the UK, on my way to the post office to be photographed for my visa for Iran. Hijabs are very simple to wrap, yet they give off a certain poise and elegance that is unmatched. You finally know how to wear a headscarf without cultural appropriation, so you should have no problem with respectably rocking the headscarf. Were sure youre going to like what you find! If you can write an article about the different types that might be helpful? Its a thing," Blair captioned it. Rightfully so as theres a very thin line between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. By subscribing to our newsletter you agree to DESIGN SCENE's Terms of service. They're made of material specific for drying your hair and do not have the same cultural significance. I didn't feel I could bring as well-rounded and diverse a viewpoint that this discussion requires, so I asked for the opinions of others to aid in the discussion. No matter the reason, covering the head is a deeply personal choice. DSCENE is non-for-profit fashion and culture basis organization which aims at further development of research on DSCENE values, as well as on providing educational services. Well, not exactly. Although it has religious and historical connections, when worn correctly and with the right intent, anyone can pull it off. Choosing to wear a hair covering that holds cultural significance to a culture youre not directly linked to often comes with fear and claims of cultural appropriation. I am so glad you made this article. The most important thing to remember here is context. I usually wear styles that I develop myself - of course these styles are influenced by others along the way but I'm genuinely not sure where they come from. If you're in a place where head wraps are culturally appropriate for all women, or significant for religious reasons, however, then it would not an act of cultural appropriation to wear one. In my area it actually seems to open doors for me and give me a talking point with people that may have otherwise just walked past me. 11 skin-soothing products to use after getting waxed. It's helped me make new friends! Since revealing her diagnosis last October, Blair has been candid about struggling with the side effects of multiple sclerosis, which can include hair loss. Its likely head wraps were used long before any known documentation, but as far as we know, now, the first recorded use of head wraps can be traced all the way back to the 13th century. But, hey, better late than never, right? We're always happy to help, especially if it means creating a freer, fairer, more respectful world for all of us. I haven't worn a head wrap out but I think it's more a confidence thing and I'm not sure yet if they suit me! I think that's really good insight! "My great-gram and my gram and my aunt always called them babushkas they are beautiful and unique," one fan wrote. In "real life" I have never gotten flak for wearing clothing of another culture. IE 11 is not supported. turbans, head wraps, headscarves, or hair coverings. I'd love to know what other people's thoughts are on wearing traditional clothing from other cultures than your own, in addition to this topic! Just an itchy wig? 'No one group owns it. By ignoring the history and culture behind the headscarf, you risk falling into a growing problem known as cultural appropriation. It is an issue I have considered when trying to head wrap myself and when making turban hats too. (Beautiful garments or if a practical garment, to be worn at home or work.) Before diving into how to wear a head wrap, it's important to know the historical origins and roots of this clothing item. These smooth, soft, decadent pillowcases help reduce frizz and tangling, keeping your hair healthy and damage-free. "See. Especially in my area there are a large Muslim and Indian community. History have made us sensitive to these issues (and often rightfully so), but it'd be a shame if we'd let that stop us from enjoying all of the lovely things other cultures have to offer.Anyway, sorry for the long comment ;). And I think that's really important. I've worn scarves voluntarily off and on in Egypt, Jordan and Morocco they're actually very good at keeping sand out and shading your eyes when you've lost your sun glasses. vintage lifestyle with an intercultural twist, Great article Em! Together, with the knowledge in this guide, we can make sure our hair looks great without offending or disrespecting anyone. I'm glad you could stop by and I hope to hear from you again! We don't, " head coverings will always have a place in society." I won't lie, I find this interesting, and I'm ashamed I didn't think it enough of an issue to address right off! But until then, here's a good site that talks about some of the meanings behind the symbols on wax print fabrics: http://www.naaoyooquartey.com/ganyobinaa/do-you-know-the-meaning-of-the-designs-on-your-waxprint-clothing/4/13/2015. They are easy to use and ideal for being worn at home. "I wonder about the history of some vintage styles. The whole issue of cultural appropriation is slippery, but my general rule of thumb is if it isn't fetishing, or completely stereotypical racist, I don't think it's an issue. ", "One thing Westerners and Western culture can do is stop acting like they found a novel fashion piece whenever they are rocking African items, head wrap or otherwise. Although the styles they wear wouldn't be the ones I would of tried out, I do wonder if people would misinterpret (since they are uneducated in basic differences) and assume I am being the insensitive one. When in doubt, my advice is to wear the fabric if youre invited by someone in the culture to do so (wedding, etc.). The design itself is rather simple to create, but it matches well with practically any outfit you decide to throw on. They may be not knowing what they write," she wrote. Being respectful is key, but also don't stop from enjoying beautiful things out of fear to insult someone. ", I think most of us are afraid to try certain wraps we're unsure of because we don't want to insult people. Traditionally the head wrap belongs to Black, indigenous, people of color, and wearing one can often be an act of cultural appropriation. The best way to mitigate this fear or the embarrassment of insulting an entire culture is to use the resources at your hand. But I will work on a post for future CFTW posts that will talk about different types! I'm glad you think so, Tanith! I. In Order for Black Americans to Appropriate African Culture 9 Reasons Why Tap Pants Will Change Your Life, Working Woman Series: 1940s Scarf Hair Tutorials, Find vintage clothing at VintageSearch.org, 1935 Zanzibar Block-Print Dress & Depew E-1830. If youre from a culture or faith that practices hair covering or rock a head wrap for reasons outside of those listed above, shoot us an email at customercare@lozatam.com. Way to be bold in trying new styles! Women from all over the world and from many parts of history have used a variety of wraps and ties all throughout history to keep their hair neat and off of their neck, as well as for religious and modesty reasons. Still, many fans defended Blair, with some sharing that they grew up seeing their grandmothers wear similar head scarves. Even other African fabrics aren't as set in stone like particular patterns and have evolved over time with the tastes of designers and buyers (like ankara/wax prints) that people of many tribes and nations wear. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina, where she spends her free time hiking, reading and snugglingwith her "Friends" box set. The hijab is perhaps the most popular wrap out of the three mentioned here. Fashion around the world is so fun and diverse, I think it's a good thing people want to wear things from other cultures, it's a celebatory thing. I thinks its a pretty alternative. Images from Head Strong by Andrea Cenetiempo for Design SCENE Magazine See the full story here. Read this article and become better informed. Very good thoughts! BUY 3 FULL PRICE TAM WRAPS, ENJOY $10 OFF, As a result, one of the most common questions our team receives is who can wear, products. - Dasha Guyton. No. I think it's today we are concerned with, not yesterday--even as this is a vintage clothing discussion site. 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", [Black women], too, have to ask ourselves if it would be offensive to our culture or anyone else's. They have definitely been inspired by cultures other than dominant Western ones, and even if I'm referencing vintage style, I wonder about cultural appropriation. : My Family's Disdain for Headwraps and Why I'm Embracing Them, The African American Woman's Headwrap: Unwinding the Symbols. I had the same question. Also from other places than the Netherlands. She was just like "well, it looks very nice" and asked me wear I got my scarf. White people have scorned Sikhs for hundreds of years, and now we wanna appropriate and make it trendy? I appreciate the food for thought. Try different headscarf colors and see what styles you can pull off! After all, even though we'd call ours a multi-cultural society, the vast majority of people have the same background. Actress Selma Blair defended herself after she posted a photo on social media of herself and a friend wearing head wraps. Spiritual Practice: Spiritual head wrapping or veiling is most commonly associated with women of Muslim faith, however, hair covering is an integral practice of many other faith traditions. I wrap as a married Jewish woman, and many of us love trying on the different styles! I had no idea, as I'd got my saris in Mumbai, helped by chums there. That sounds like a good rule. Women's Head Wraps, Satin Lined Turbans, Chemo Head Wraps & Caps & Headbands, Satin Lined Turbans, Head Wraps for Women, Chemo Caps, Chemo Headwear & Silk Satin Sleeping Caps and Nighttime Hair Wraps. You're right, in can be hard to "track back through some else's creative path," definitely. Youll see them worn in rituals, to special celebrations,or even as everyday wear. On Tuesday, the "Cruel Intentions" star, 46, posted a selfie featuring herself and filmmaker Rachel Fleit in jeweled head wraps. Headscarfs are a beautiful way to add a sense of style and flair to your outfits, and you want to wear one of your own. My name is Emileigh, and welcome to Flashback Summer, a vintage lifestyle blog with an intercultural twist! Can I have some money, cause I was asking.". I don't have personal experience with how African American women feel about it. "I grew up with them. If you're worried about disrespecting other people and cultures, or want to learn more about how you can use our Turbie Twist towels, feel free to get in touch with our team. You can even go a step further and use a silk pillowcasetokeep your hair protected overnight. Thank you for this! Knowing the history of the continent and how it has been (and continues to be) pillaged and colonized, the very least they can do is acknowledge and respect the origin of those fabrics and buy from African designers. Don't pretend it's something of your own making, and be honest if you recieve a question to which you don't know the answer. Our headbands & head wraps have been voted"Best Headbands For Curly Hair"by Curly Nikki and featured in popular publications likeByrdie, Allure, Refinery29,Broadly by Vice, and Self Magazine by top beauty editors. So none of these comments hurt. For many regions and ethnicities, headscarfs are more than just a look; they were (and still are) a big part of ones identity and lifestyle. For Black, indigenous, people of color, head wraps have a longand complicated history. Tax and shipping will be calculated at checkout. Through these exchanges, youll learn the history and significance behind the head wrap or hair covering which makes it very difficult to appropriate it. I personally have never worn a style as you describe in this post, but being a folk-dancer I do actually wear national costumes quite often. Why CBD Is Emerging as a Health and Wellness Trend, Xiao Wen Ju is the Cover Star of VOGUE China August 2022 Issue, CHARLES & KEITH Collaborates With Coco Capitn, SAINT LAURENT Spring Summer 2023 Mens Collection. Its just a cool 'new' trend. If you're wondering how to wrap your hair in a head wrap at night, all hair types can benefit from using a Turbie Twist hair towel to dry your hair and keep it in place as you sleep. Scarves have been worn by all colors for ages. Do it because you really like it, because you appreciate the ability it gives you in creating a new look for you. Yes, I guess I can style it without chemicals, which isn't an option women with really curly natural hair have, but it still takes time. Check out our site for other tips and tricks that you can use to transform your wardrobe into your personal masterpiece. I said thank you, and then sort of awkwardly admitted that I was trying to hide a bad hair day. You can discover more about this ancient and creative statement, and turn cultural appropriation into appreciation! Yeah, I haven't gotten negative comments in real life either. Asking this question of yourself is half the battle. The easiest way to ensure youre not appropriating a culture is to have conversations, friendships, and interactions with people of the culture youre curious about online and/or in real life. Scenarios in which a woman might reach for a head wrap: dealing with hair loss due to health challenges such as alopecia, cancer, and chemotherapy. Those sounds like really good indicators to me! Unless you can clearly, unambiguously connect yourself to a particular wrap style as far as culture or history goes (such as being a Nigerian wearing a Nigerian wrap), then you should do an evaluation before wearing. At the time, Black women managed to turn their head wraps into tools for liberation. Though it was clear I was not Muslim (and not very good at putting scarves on) locals volunteered to help sort me out! Their ignorance created the issue, and you can decide whether or not you want to help them learn something new. They are, admittedly, hard to research and learn about. ", How A Head Wrap Taught Me An Important Lesson About Professionalism And Race, Under wraps: Style savvy Muslim women turn to turbans, You're Wearing That Out? With greater access to other perspectives and cultures via technology, we have a greater responsibility to inquire and attempt to understand how cultural accessories are worn in context. Shop our collection of women's African Head Wraps. Now that you know so much about how to wear a headscarf, youre most likely interested in finding out more about the origins of the scarf and its deep connection to people of color. That will challenge people to actually research the history of what they are wearing, perhaps even to the point that they would rather not wear it out of respect. ", Before long, critics began accusing Blair of appropriating the "turban" look from various religious cultures. After all, Africans and African-Americans have a tumultuous history. This type of wrap has significantly increased in popularity in the United States (maybe we should thank ASAP Rocky?) I think for us modern people, it may also include what other modern people may see when they look at our style, even if it is vintage and had a different meaning back in the day. Now that we've got that settled, let's get into the not-so-clear part of head wrapping: Who can wear which wraps? I think it's good for white people to admire and respect garen't from African and black cultures. Controversial Post: Who Can Clap for That Wrap. Eventually, in certain parts of the American South, legislation was enacted to make it illegal for enslaved women to wear their hair in any way other than bound up in a head wrap. ", "The bigger the knot, the better you feel." I'll wear the garments in the country of origin, as well as at home on my return. There's such a longer precedent of appropriate and horrible treatment that I'm afraid it would read differently. One way to wear a headscarf is to try it in the form of a babushka. It seems hard to trace back through someone else's creative path. I generally stick to solid fabrics or pattern scarves that are in no way culturally tied. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. I'm an "old soul" in a twenty-something's body, and I adore exploring cultures, sewing, history, controversial subjects, Nutella, the Air Force, traveling, and learning new things. Youll be feeling like youre on the cast of Aladdin with this impressive twist on a headscarf. Love especially ones who need it," she added. The first well-documented records date back to the 13th Century BC Assyrian Empire (modern-day Middle East and North Africa) where laws required women to practice veiling. Truthfully, there are multiple ways to tie a turban, and you may want to try them all out to see which style works best for you. Really enjoyed this article! As it happened, the person who helped me with my photos was Iranian and we had a great chat - lots of top tips of unmissable things to see.I do a lot of travelling, and often buy traditional-contemporary clothes when I visit, for their beauty or practicality. Keep reading below to learn more about the reasons people choose to cover their hair and celebrate the beautiful diversity of our world. Blogger is often difficult about adding my username on WordPress, as I dont have an account, sorry. For many African women, head wraps were first used as part of their traditional dress. They are really practical for everyday use, but I guess it is a style trend most popular with vintage girls and POC. You just need to learn the right way to pull it off while still being respectful to its beautiful background. In fact, many cultures and peoples across the globe have been wearing head coverings for centuries. The elastic in our Africanhead wraps, top knot headwrapsand makes sure they remain secure on the head without slipping off. protecting hair from harsh weather and climates. This article shows you how to wear a headscarf without cultural appropriation. The racial dynamics I of the U.S. definitely don't represent those of other countries, and things are different around the world in various contexts. The key takeaway is wearing a head wrap boils down to personal choice. Veiling was used to mark the differences between womens social standings and marital status. Great thoughts from you and your guests Emileigh! Historically, wed say, throw on a head wrap! You are looking at my uniform for this summer: t-shirt, overalls, flats. As long as the garment's home culture doesn't say a straight up no (like Native Americans and war bonnets) and you've evaluated, you're probably on the right track. My blog is here, if that's allowed: https://ateliernostalgia.wordpress.com/. And even though respect is important, Dutch culture also tends to be quite straight-forward and not quite so polite to outsiders ;). I was pretty devastated when I read vintage Pyrex, as a general rule, has high levels of lead. Any help on this (and the hoop earrings / winged eyeliner) is appreciated. If it helps, I don't usually get mistaken for a Muslim or Indian. We dont get to do this.. Discussion is important, and just asking the question is a show of maturity and awareness. Arbitrary 'tribal print' headscarves and clothing sold in stores like Forever 21 sometimes have them with patterns that are African and, of course, Africa is not given the due credit when it is advertised. Colors, Shapes and Sizes: Discover DIESEL 1DR Bag, Discover this Seasons IT Bag: Balenciaga x Bang & Olufsen, Linda Evangelista is the Face of FENDI Baguette Collection, Alexander McQueen Introduces Sprint Runner Sneaker, How To Support Ukraine by Buying Balenciaga, Discover CHLO Fast Girl Capsule Collection, Discover MASSIMO DUTTI Spring Summer 2022 Leather Skills Collection, Sustainable Soul: The Story of Stella McCartney, DESIGN SCENE ISSUE 035: SIGN OF THE TIMES. If you have head wraps, it's important to know when it is appropriate to wear them and how they can be used. ", "Dont wear a wrap just so you can say youre 'pro-black' or something, Dont do it because you have a political reason. At work one day, I was wearing a wrap and a couple of Sikh women came in, and one of them said "you look beautiful if your sort of turban" I was instantly embarrassed because I was suddenly afraid I was was engaging in cultural appropriation. Thank you for this post! Head wraps, scarves and veils have been used throughout all of history to indicate social or religious status. I've actually had an Indian-Malaysian chum ask me where to buy a wedding sari in London! As a result, one of the most common questions our team receives is who can wear Loza Tam products. Gina Vivinetto is a writer for TODAY.com. To be honest I haven't been following your blog, I just stumbled on this post (although I'll definitely be taking a look later!). We don't live in the past, and regarding racism and sexism, we sure as hell wouldn't want to. Why not tie your own scarf and bejewel it. July 27, 2020, 11:07 am I am glad to hear that most of the cultural significance is in the fabrics usually, and I have a lot of hand me down silks that don't fall in that category, so I have a safe starting platform to start with before learning about all the other types of styles. "Yes! I'm sure there's a head wrap out there that would suit you wonderfully, but I totally understand having to work up the confidence. keeping hair out the face during a workout, gardening, chores, traveling, etc. We all have those days when our hair just is not working for us, it cant be tamed, or we just really dont have the time or desire to style it. At least, when it comes to vintage fashion. They've been celebrated, used as a symbol of freedom, and as a staple in wardrobes across the world. "We have one answer to your bad hair days or NO hair days wraps! I've been thinking about getting more into head wraps but wondered about how culturally okay it would be. And although I personally try to be as informed as possible, I think the more important thing might even be to know the limits of your knowledge.